I try to care for myself throughout the year. Not just the holidays or when it is stressful at work. If I am in a more balanced frame of mind, I can then be a better person for everyone around me.
To keep the balance, I do yoga, run, and many other activities. But from time to time, I also treat myself to a spa treatment that can really benefit my well-being.
Recently, I was lucky enough to speak with Allison Hegedus, President of Vida Spas. Allison shared her knowledge on the wonderful treatments of Ayurveda.
What is Ayurveda and Ayurvedic treatments?
Ayurveda is a 5000 year old Indian science that works to balance individuals' personality types, known as doshas. Each personality type corresponds to the earth elements. For example, an individual who is the air element has a very active mind. If you think about air moving continually this is the Vata (air) personality.
When a Vata is in balance of mind and body, they are very productive, creative, multi-tasker. When they are out of balance due to stress, they become forgetful, have problems sleeping and lose weight very easily. What are the benefits?
The goal of Ayurveda is to bring balance to the mind and body so that you live a longer healthier life. For a vata personality, movements would be very slow and oils used would be calming and grounding.
Who can benefit from these type of treatments?
Every personality type. We all fall out of balance.
Pitta Dosha (fire personality), when out of balance, will have more issues with digestion, skin irritation and sensitivity.
Kapha Dosha (earth personality,) when out of balance, will need stimulation to help their circulation and movement to allow for a healthier flowing find and body.
Any tips on how a person can use Ayurveda in their daily life for wellness?
Ayurveda is about mind and body balance. Understand your body and what works best for it. For example, Vata personalities need to shut off early at night to avoid stimulation, or their mind will keep them up all night. Meditation and walking can be beneficial to slow down the mind and body. Grounding foods can be helpful too, like hot soups to calm and warm the body.
What kind of Ayurvedic treatments are there?
Ayurvedic Massage is an oiling of the body. A liter of warm oil saturates the body from the outside in. The goal is to allow all of the essential oils in the blend to nourish your skin, blood flow and organs. Movements are based on your personality type.
An earth personality will have faster movements to activate the mind and body. An air personality will have slow steady movements to slow down the mind and body.
Ayurvedic Swedana begins with an oiling of the body followed by steam in a custom build cedar steam cabinet that has been infused with herbs based on your dosha. This treatment is very detoxifying.
Ayurvedic Shirodarha begins with an oiling of the body followed by a warm flow of oil on the third eye. This calms the mind and helps one sleep.
What advice would you give to a person trying Ayurvedic treatments for the first time?
Receive a treatment and be prepared to go home. Let the oils nourish your hair and skin vs shower. We want all of the benefits of the oil to remain on and in the body for optimum results.
I will continue to try new wellness treatments and will share my experiences. If you have ideas or questions about living well please leave a comment below and I will do my best to find the answer for you.
Your suggestions are always welcome, as I continue on my journey to enjoy life to the fullest. Let's have the very best year ever!
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